‘America the Beautiful’
A Reason To Smile
No one would blame you for being down on America right about now. Things are feeling a bit bleak, but please remember, America is more, much more than one bad man and his enablers in Washington.
It is the friendly smile from the man who poured your coffee. It is a wave from your next-door neighbor sitting on her porch.
It is the sun rising over the craggy coast of Maine and setting on the red rocks of Colorado.
At its best, America is resilient and industrious, driven and empowering. Those characteristics are still there, pushing us to fight when we need to fight. And we need to fight.
The country has survived wars and depressions. And it will survive this, though maybe a little broken and a lot bruised.
For this week’s reason to smile, we have chosen “America the Beautiful” to honor all that this country is. Ray Charles’ rendition of the ballad is iconic, and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his recording, a new video was released that truly captures both the grandeur and the humility of America.
Note: Some of you sharp-eyed, longtime Steady subscribers might remember we chose this song as our reason to smile after the 2022 midterm elections. The video is new, the song so good, and the need so dear, we felt a repeat was in order.
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No matter how you subscribe, I thank you for reading, watching, and listening.
Stay Steady,
Dan
I’m writing to thank you before I watch the video and listen to the incomparable Ray Charles. I know I’ll be overcome with emotion and probably tears. But you are right, Dan. We can carry on and overcome the blithering idiot currently in charge.
The following link has a long list of activities in Boston and the surrounding communities (where it all began!) for the 250th anniversary of the start of the Revolution. https://www.revolution250.org/ (Click on "see more activities" on the site for more events).
Heather Cox Richardson will be giving the keynote speech at the Old North Church on April 18th (sold out immediately-my husband and I tried!) I have seen Heather live on two occasions in Boston (even shook hands with Buddy) so I shouldn't whine but I am :)
Supposedly trump was invited to attend events (has not responded) and if he did show up (unlikely - any more than the George III did in the day) the good Patriots should pick him him up (at musket point) for his 34 felonies, seditious acts of treason on January 6, 2021, the dozens of executive orders and tariffs that are so destructive, illegal, and suppressive. Deport him to some holding tank in an unknown location or throw him into Boston Harbor. And, we the people need to shred his executive orders (disobey) and revolt like those from 250 years ago against the tyranny of King George III.